CHICAGO (AP/WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A shocking move happened in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday as the federal government dropped corruption charges against former downstate congressman Aaron Schock.
37-year-old Aaron Schock resigned from Congress in 2015 amid scrutiny of his spending. He was indicted in 2016 on 22 counts, including wire fraud and falsification of election commission filings. The case was originally filed in central Illinois. The Justice Department transferred it to prosecutors in Chicago last year.
Among the examples of misuse of funds was the way he had his official U.S. House office lavishly decorated as if it were from a scene from the TV show "Downton Abbey".
Schock agreed Wednesday to repay $42,000 to the IRS and $68,000 to his campaign fund, in exchange for prosecutors dismissing his felony corruption case. If he holds up his part of the deal, prosecutors within six months will drop the original felony counts that were filed against him.
Schock also admitted in court to purchasing Super Bowl and World Series tickets at face value and selling them for a profit of more than $42,000. He admitted submitting mileage reimbursements without documentation.
Schock said he made mistakes, such as poor record keeping, but said they weren't crimes. He said "part of that was because I was working my tail off" representing a large congressional district that includes more than 200 communities.
He said, half-jokingly publicly pleading for contributions, "For all those listening, I do have a legal defense fund."
Former Illinois Congressman Aaron Shock speaks to reporters after federal prosecutors in Chicago agree to drop his corruption charges. Shock, who must now comply with deferred prosecution, was asked if he was targeted by prosecutors. @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/FhDGgDmx2t
— Andy Dahn (@thisisandydahn) March 6, 2019In the end, the former rising star in the Republican Party believes he was the victim of a "rogue" prosecutor in central Illinois.
"He saw me as his ticket to stardom. I know for a fact that, shortly after he indicted me, he began lobbying some of my former colleagues to become the next U.S. Attorney," Schock said.
Schock said he's "looking forward to having this weight off my chest and not having it the first thing I think about every morning and the last thing I think about before I go to bed."
Aaron Schock said he now knows who his real friends are.
He did not mention any plans for returning to politics.
"I don't know what the future holds, but I'm looking forward to being able to resume some semblance of a private life and looking for ways to contribute to society," he said.
Schock's lawyer, George Terwilliger said he always felt that, if he could sit down with a "reasonable" prosecutor and discuss the charges, they would come to the same conclusion that "mistakes are not crimes".
Prosecutor Erik Hogstrom called it "a fair and sensible resolution."
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